President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said he is convinced that despite the ongoing global uncertainty, Indonesia has fared better in terms of maintaining economic growth and controlling inflation, especially compared to the United States.
At a gathering attended by PT Freeport Indonesia president commissioner Richard Adkerson and company employees in Mimika district, Papua, on Wednesday, Jokowi highlighted that Indonesia recorded positive economic growth and controlled inflation this year.
“We need to be thankful because our country, Indonesia, recorded 5.44 percent economic growth in the second quarter (of 2022) and maintained a 4.9 percent inflation level. I want to ask Mr. Richard (Adkerson) about the United States’ growth and inflation level later. I believe we fared better,” the President remarked.
He said that Indonesia has successfully maintained positive economic growth despite post-COVID-19 global uncertainties and geopolitical conflicts triggering crises in the energy, food, and financial sectors.
He then commended PT Freeport Indonesia for earning US$7.5 billion in revenues last year. He also lauded the company for contributing around 68 percent to Mimika district’s gross regional domestic product.
Meanwhile, Adkerson lauded President Jokowi , whose leadership he said he believed helped the country maintain economic growth and control inflation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and during Indonesia’s G20 Presidency.
The president commissioner highlighted that PT Freeport Indonesia is now almost fully operated by Indonesian nationals, as some 98 percent of the company’s employees are Indonesians, and 40 percent of Indonesians working in the company are native Papuans.
“We have a strong commitment to maintaining workers’ safety because they must work in vulnerable conditions. We also provide appropriate wage and fully support residents,” he said.
Source: Antara News